Electrochromic mirrors and other electrooptic devices

Abstract

This invention discloses a process for assembling an electrooptic (including electrochromic) devices, wherein the device comprises a step of forming solid electrolyte layer by in-situ polymerization of a liquid composition wherein the said liquid composition comprises at least one ionic liquid. The polymerization process may lead to formation of a crosslinked polymer, and such a process may be initiated by UV radiation. The electrochromic devices of this invention may be used as a display, window or a variable reflectivity automotive mirror.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for assembling an electrooptic device, wherein the device comprises a chamber, comprising the steps of injecting a fluid composition which comprises a monomer formulation and at least one ionic liquid into the chamber, the fluid composition being of a type that will solidify as electrolyte by crosslinking of monomer formulation. 
     
     
       2. A process for assembling an electrooptic device in  claim 1  wherein the solid composition is optically transparent. 
     
     
       3. A process for assembling an electrooptic device as in  claim 1  wherein the said electrooptic device is electrochromic. 
     
     
       4. A process for assembling an electrooptic device in  claim 3  wherein the solid composition comprises of an electrochromic dye. 
     
     
       5. A process for assembling an electrooptic device in  claim 1  wherein the crosslinking is initiated by either of heat or electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
       6. A process for assembling an electrooptic device in  claim 1  wherein the monomer content is less than 25 weight % of the electrolyte. 
     
     
       7. A process for forming a solid electrolyte layer of an electrochromic device, comprising forming solid electrolyte layer by in-situ polymerization of a liquid composition wherein the said liquid composition comprises at least one ionic liquid. 
     
     
       8. A process for forming a solid electrolyte as in  claim 7 , where polymerization results in forming of crosslinks. 
     
     
       9. A process for forming a solid electrolyte as in  claim 7 , where the said electrochromic device is configured as one of the following: a display, window or a variable reflectivity automotive mirror. 
     
     
       10. A process for forming a solid electrolyte as in  claim 7 , wherein the polymerization is initiated by heat or electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
       11. A process for forming a solid electrolyte as in  claim 7 , wherein the liquid composition further comprises at least one of an electrochromic dye, salt, UV stabilizer, cosolvent and a monomer which has a functionality equal to or greater than 3. 
     
     
       12. A process for forming a solid electrolyte as in  claim 7 , wherein the liquid composition further comprises of a monomer with a molecular weight of greater than 2,500. 
     
     
       13. A process for forming a solid electrolyte as in  claim 7 , wherein the ionic liquid is fluorinated. 
     
     
       14. An electrochromic device, comprising a solid electrolyte layer formed by in-situ polymerization of a liquid composition that comprises at least one ionic liquid. 
     
     
       15. An electrochromic device as in  claim 14 , wherein the liquid composition further comprises at least one of an electrochromic dye, salt, UV stabilizer, cosolvent and a monomer which has a functionality equal to or greater than 3. 
     
     
       16. An electrochromic device as in  claim 14 , wherein the device comprises one or more additional layers, wherein the composition of the said additional layers comprises at least one of tungsten oxide, prussian blue, molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, nickel oxide, iridium oxide, cerium oxide, titanium oxide, polyaniline, polythiophene, and polypyrrole.